When “Young Adult” Books Stop Feeling Young

I wasn’t going to say anything about this, but when your inbox fills up overnight with the same question over and over again ("Have you seen this?"), and your spirit won’t settle… you realize silence isn’t the right response.

Lately, there’s been a lot of conversation happening across book spaces: Bookstagram, BookTok, book clubs—about a particular book labeled Young Adult (YA) that contains deeply disturbing content. It is the kind of content that makes you pause, reread the label, and wonder how it ended up in the hands of teenagers… or worse, younger kids.

Here's the problem: Young adult doesn’t just mean 17-year-olds. It means 12 to 17. And if you’ve been around kids long enough, you already know what that really means. It means 10-year-olds are reading it too, because kids read up. They always have.

They are advanced readers or more mature, so when something is labeled “young adult,” they don’t see a boundary, they see an invitation. And that’s where this gets uncomfortable.

Not every book sitting on a YA shelf is written with a 12-year-old mind in mind.

Some of these stories carry themes that are dark… graphic… even damaging if they land in the wrong heart at the wrong time.

I shared a video recently saying that, as a Christian, I believe I’m accountable for what my words plant in young readers. That’s not something I take lightly. Words don’t just disappear after the last page. They linger.

Picture this for a moment:

A thirteen-year-old girl finishes a dark book. She closes it, goes to her room, and Just sits with it. There is no dicussion or guidance about it. Just her… and the weight of what she just read.

What do you think happens next?

One parent reached out to me and said, “It happened to my son. A book changed him—and not for the better.”

Stories are powerful. That’s why we love them. That’s why we write them. But it’s also why we have to be careful with them—especially when it comes to young readers who are still forming their understanding of the world, relationships, identity, and truth.

So… Who’s Responsible?

There’s been a lot of backlash surrounding this particular book. The author has even stepped away from social media because of it. But if we’re being honest?

This isn’t just about one author. This is about classification.

Publishers hold a responsibility to place books in the right category. A story written with adult themes should not be sitting in a space designed for middle schoolers and early teens—no matter how popular the author is.

The bigger issue is this:

Somewhere along the way, the line between YA and adult started to blur.

And now parents are left trying to figure out where that line even is.

So What Can Parents Actually Do?

Is it possible to monitor everything our kids read? No. And trying to will only exhaust you. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless.

Here are a few ways to navigate this:

1. Stay Curious, Not Controlling

Instead of shutting books down immediately, ask questions:

• “What’s that book about?”

• “How does it make you feel?”

• “What do you think about that character’s choices?”

You’ll learn more from conversation than control.

2. Pre-Read or Preview When You Can

You don’t have to read every page of every book—but skimming, checking reviews, or even reading a few key chapters can give you insight.

If something feels off, trust that instinct.

3. Use Trusted Voices

Follow reviewers, educators, or authors who align with your values and are honest about content. Not every viral book is a safe one.

4. Create a Safe Space for Processing

If your child does read something heavy, don’t panic. Talk about it. Help them process what they read instead of leaving them alone with it.

5. Teach Discernment Early

The goal isn’t to control forever, it’s to equip. We want our kids to eventually say, “This isn’t for me” or "I'm not reading that" without us having to say it first.

This isn’t about banning books. It’s about being aware and understanding that just because something is labeled “young adult” doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for every young reader.

It is also about remembering that stories shape us—especially when we’re still becoming who we are. So no… we can’t monitor everything. But we can stay present. We can stay engaged. Because what they read matters. And so does what they carry with them after they close the book.

Blessings,

LB

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